Post-game notes, quotes

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES AND QUOTES
February 3, 2011 – New York Rangers 2, New Jersey Devils 3 (Game No. 54, Home No. 27)

• The Rangers were defeated by the New Jersey Devils, 3-2, tonight at Madison Square Garden, and are now 29-21-4 overall with a 12-12-3 mark at home. New York is now 10-7-2 in their last 19 games at home.

• Twelve of the Blueshirts’ last 14 games have been decided by one goal (6-5-1 record in those games), including five that required extra time with four of those contests decided in the shootout. Entering tonight’s contest, the Rangers were tied for fifth in the league with a .600 winning percentage in one-goal games, posting a record of 15-6-4 in those contests. Their 15 wins were tied for fourth in the NHL.

• Vinny Prospal notched a power play goal at 2:21 of the third period to capture second star honors, while making his season debut after missing the Rangers’ first 53 games of the season due to a knee injury. He also led all skaters with five shots on goal, and logged 16:33 of ice time.

• The Rangers power play registered one goal in six attempts (9:37), and is now 5-26 (19.2%) in the last seven games.

• Ryan Callahan tallied the Blueshirts’ first goal of the contest at 16:25 of the second period and logged 20:02 of ice time. He has now registered a goal in each of the last two games, after missing the previous 19 games with a broken hand suffered on Dec. 15 at Pittsburgh. Callahan has notched four goals in his last four games.

• Marian Gaborik recorded a power play assist to extend his scoring streak to four games (one goal, three assists over the span), and has now registered nine points (five goals, four assists) in the last seven games.

• Mats Zuccarello registered the primary assist on Prospal’s power play goal to extend his assist streak to three games (five assists over the span). He has now tallied 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in the last 14 games, including nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the last nine contests. Zuccarello ranks second on the team in scoring with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) since joining the team on December 23.

• Artem Anisimov tallied the only assist on Callahan’s second period goal and logged 18:52 of ice time. He has now registered six points (one goal, five assists) in the last seven games.

• Martin Biron turned aside all six shots faced after entering the game at 15:04 of the second period. The Rangers out-shot the Devils, 15-2, in the third period.

• The Blueshirts’ practice schedule for tomorrow, February 4, is 12:00 p.m. at the MSG Training Center.

• The Rangers will begin a three-game road trip when they face-off against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Bell Centre (2:00 p.m.), in an Original Six match-up. The game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio and newyorkrangers.com.

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella on Ryan Callahan… “Nothing ever surprises me with him. He’s what we all want to be as a Ranger. As far as his preparation and his attitude and everything he does.”Vinny Prospal on his first game of the season… “It felt great. It’s been a long time and I’m very fortunate to come back and play again. There were times when I thought ‘who knows how it’s going to turn out’ but I always wanted to come back. And (the goal) was like pay back for all the rehab and time away.”Ryan Callahan on Vinny Prospal… “It means a lot. I think you saw right from the start how comfortable he was out there. He’s making some great plays with Gaby (Marian Gaborik) and it seems right away they picked up where they left off last year. I think once he starts getting back into more games he’ll be more creative, but he’s a big guy for us and I thought he played well tonight.”

The entire New Yankee Stadium will be fully paid for by the Steinbrenners. Only team that I can remember to actually pay for their entire stadium. Interest-free bonds, nothing wrong with that. Very selfless and noble of the Yankees.

The Bruins looked really good tonight; look like a team that make some noise in the playoffs.

I thought Prospal was one of our best tonight, if not the best. I thought Gaborik fed off Prospal’s energy and shows flashes of his 2009-10 form…

If Hank doesn’t let in that first softie, this game may not be loss. Hank gave the Devils the opportunity to play the trap with a lead. The Rangers nearly picked themselves up out of the hole during that 3rd period, allowing only 2 devil shots, which was impressive.

Del Zotto is tricky situation. I really have no idea what the Rangers should do with him.

Did anyone hear Tortorella when talking about Lundqvist in his PC? I forget what his exact quote was but it was something like “the goaltending has not been there the last three games.” He said it with that distinct look on his face (when he is pissed). I understand Torts is a hard-nosed coach but I don’t think he had to rip Henrik in the media like that. How about ripping on the Captain. Lundqvist has the same amout of points on the year as freakin Drury. 4 assists each!

I’ll say this: If David Clarkson and Sean Avery were ever going to *really* fight, Sean would get his Aasen handed to him. Seems to me every scrum they have ever had is broken up before it starts. Clarkson is a much bigger and stronger man than Avery. I was joking with my buddy at the game that they always go at each other and one day Clarkson may destroy him. Avery is a D+ fighter, at best.